Replies

1. 
   Boss_Hog | Jun 12, 2001 02:16pm | #1

   *
   Here's the first shot where we dug up the first section of drain pipe. There wasn't much water here, but there was more further on. You can't tell in this picture, but the pipe WAS below the foting.

1. 
   Boss_Hog | Jun 12, 2001 02:18pm | #2

   *This is the bigger backhoe he was using, while he was starting around the first corner.

1. 
   Boss_Hog | Jun 12, 2001 02:20pm | #3

   *This is my 10 year old, getting $60 per hour backhoe lessons.

1. 
   Jeff_Clarke_ | Jun 12, 2001 02:30pm | #4

   *Ron, I'm no soils engineer, but what I see in your first photo is pure unadulterated clay - totally unsuitable for foundation backfill. Whatever you do, make sure that it doesn't go back in the excavation as is, you need to import bank run or otherwise amend the existing soil (IMO).(PS - Not to mention re-doing the termite treatment).Jeff

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   Boss_Hog | Jun 12, 2001 06:35pm | #5

   *Jeff - Honestly, I didn't know clay was unsuitable for backfill. Pretty much everything around here is clay, so that's basically all that goes back in on houses that I've seen. I DO plan on using a lot more gravel - the foundation guy only put gravel from about 3" to 6" above the original field tile. I've ordered 60 tons for starters. And - I plan to use a plastic foundation liner to keep dirt from touching the concrete. I'll post a picture of that later on.

2. 
   splintergroupie_ | Jun 12, 2001 09:52pm | #6

   *That looks just like the nasty stuff with which my house was back-filled before i used the dimple fabric. Was filter fabric used to keep the clay out of the drain line? Should have been... Some people sock just the drain line and others wrap the gravel. I've always wondered if one way was better because i tried it each way, but both times i used the dimple fabric and ended up with no leaks, so i don't know if placement of the filter is that important, as long as it's there somewhere. Anyone have info on that?

3. 
   Mike_Willms | Jun 13, 2001 06:38am | #7

   *It's times like this I'm glad I live in a bone-dry part of the world. Whatcha got there looks like some kinda swampy land. Around here we use weep tile tied into a sump bucket in the basement. I've seen these buckets go up to 2 yrs without seeing any water. Most times it's the owner overwatering his lawn that fills it. For that sludge you got I'd consider using something other than a single run of 4" tile. Careful, that house just might float away on you!

2. 
   Boss_Hog | Jun 13, 2001 06:38am | #8

   *
   The thread I started on "Foundation Problems" generated so much interest, I thought you might like to see how things are coming along with the repairs.

   I borrowed a digital camera, and will add a few shots as we get things dug up.